Portland Spoke – The Official Blog of Travel Portland

Photo by Dolan Halbrook via Flickr

It’s a small outdoor venue unlike any other: a grassy lawn, sloping down to a modestly-sized stage and bandshell, with an elephant yard on one side and a red ape reserve on the other. For the past 35 years, musicians and fans alike have flocked to the Oregon Zoo each summer to revel in music, sunshine and friends — including those of the feathered and furry varieties.

The 2013 Oregon Zoo Summer Concert Series (June 22 – Sept. 6) boasts a roster of artists as diverse as the park’s residents, which range from African bullfrogs to Visayan warty pigs. Folk singer/songwriter John Prine takes the stage on opening night; maybe he’ll perform “Crazy as a Loon,” a favorite of the birds in the nearby aviary. Ziggy Marley brings his Jamaican reggae to town on June 30 — his song “Black Cat” might elicit a roar from the zoo’s resident big cats. Other musical acts on the schedule include Weird Al Yankovic, the Indigo Girls, Randy Newman, the B-52s, Los Lobos and the Doobie Brothers. Alas, no Snoop Dog, er, Lion.

Shows start at 7 p.m., with access to the concert area at 5 p.m. Concert tickets also grant zoo access for the full day, so plan to visit the animals before the show. And whether you bring a picnic (no outside beverages) or enjoy the zoo’s selection of local food, beer and wine, be sure to fill up — after all, you wouldn’t want your stomach growling louder than the Amur tigers (or the bands).

With rivers criss-crossing the state and the Pacific Ocean lapping against the coast, there’s a wealth of watery ways to spend a hot summer day in Oregon.

Image courtesy of Hood River WaterPlay

A 75-minute drive east of Portland, Hood River is the windsurfing capital of the world. Known for extreme athletes who harness the gusts that barrel down the Columbia River Gorge, this small town has a surf village vibe, and is a great place to learn a new hobby. Hood River WaterPlay teaches everyone from beginners to experts how to hook the wind, whether with a kite board, on a stand-up paddle board, or while windsurfing.

Larger groups can paddle in unison on a trip with Blue Sky Rafting. Located 30 miles outside Portland on the Clackamas River, this outfitter expertly pilots many of the local streams that fluctuate in difficulty as the winter’s snow melts off the mountain, forming some fun rapids. Or, if you want to ditch the oars but hold onto the excitement, a good jet boat ride might be just the thing. Willamette Jetboat Excursions rip down the city’s central waterway, showing off the skyline, bridges and riverfront in rapid fire. Narrated with local facts and stories, it’s a great way to get a splash of local insight.

Wings & Waves Waterpark

Even on rainy days, there are still ways to enjoy the water. North Clackamas Aquatic Park, located just outside Portland in Milwaukie, packs in six swimming pools, three water slides, a 29-foot rock climbing wall, wave pools, hot tubs and a kiddie pool — so everyone can make a splash here. The same goes for Wings & Waves Waterpark, 45 minutes west of Portland in McMinnville. With 10 slides — some originating from a real 747 jet –  and a children’s museum that focuses on the power of water, it’s a great place for kids to soak in a little summer learning on the sly.

In Portland, it’s an annual tradition to complain about how late summer is. What can I say? It takes a lot of clouds to make the rain that keeps our trees green and our flowers abloom, so by July, we’re all more than ready for a long string of warm, sunny days. Luckily, summer always comes, and when it does, it’s glorious.

Maybe that pent-up desire for summer explains our skill at making the most of the long days and warm nights with outdoor concerts. Get to as many as you can, and be sure to check out the smiles of gratitude on the faces all around you. We’ve been waiting a long time for this!

Noon Tunes
July 10 through Aug. 16, noon-1 p.m.

Downtown’s Pioneer Courthouse Square hosts free lunchtime concerts every Tuesday and Thursday.

Tuesdays by Twilight, photo by Scott Steele

Tuesdays by Twilight
July 10 through Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m.

These ticketed performances include the unparalleled perk of evening admission to Lan Su Chinese Garden. Beer, wine and dinner boxes are for sale (and you can pre-order dinner).

Portland Festival Symphony
July 28 through Aug. 19, 6 p.m.

Free weekend concerts, performed by a full symphony orchestra, in a half-dozen of Portland’s most gorgeous parks.

Music on Main Street
July 11 through Aug. 29, 5-7 p.m.

Free Wednesday-evening concerts in the plaza next to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Food and drink for sale; limited seating available.

Sundown at Ecotrust
July 5-26, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Every Thursday evening in July,  head to the rooftop of the Ecotrust building in the Pearl District for a free concert — plus local pizza and beer for sale, and environmentally themed displays.

Pickin’ on Sundays at Doug Fir
July 1-Aug. 26, 3-7 p.m.

These free patio concerts (see the lineup) on the patio at Doug Fir Lounge feature fun local bands and great food and drink deals.

Annie Bailey from Clackamas Co. Tourism holding Marquam Hill Ranch's award-winning alpaca, "Conopa Royal."

How often do you have the chance to hold something as cute as this, as fluffy, as special? Rarely. But I was the kid in school who would have been the last to join 4-H club, and I chickened out.

This sweet thing was just one of the many cuties I got to see up close a couple of weeks ago, and it made me feel like a kid again. I was touring the Molalla Country Farm Loop, a group of farms out in Clackamas County.

So close to Portland, Molalla feels like a world away with its rural reality of pastures, barns and fields. I saw elk, horses, sheep, geese, chickens, pigmy goats, and even a wallaby. It was so much fun, and a perfect way for a family with kids to spend a day this summer.

In the fall, there are farm stands, orchards and wineries to check out as well. You can download a map and brochure here. This video shows a lot more of what the area is all about. Enjoy!

Summer is a great time to soak up some Portland, whether you’re enjoying outdoor food carts, farmers markets, or a long scenic hike. And it’s also a wonderful time to enjoy a variety of arts festivals and events. Here are some upcoming art events that are sure to inspire and delight the senses!

Estacada Summer Celebration 2011
This free festival of music and art takes place July 22-23 in the heart of beautiful downtown Estacada.

Behind the Shoji Art Show & Sale
The Portland Japanese Garden will showcase a collection of artful handmade items including pottery, glass, jewelry, wood carvings, textiles and more. This one-of-a-kind sale featuring Asian-inspired original artwork and unique gifts runs July 23 through September 5 and is open during regular garden hours (10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday and noon-7 p.m. Mondays).

Art in the Pearl
More than 120 artists offer their creations at this Labor Day weekend event in Portland’s North Park Blocks of downtown Portland, Sept 3-5. The festivities include artist demonstrations, music and food.

Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival
PICA’s annual Time-Based Art Festival (TBA) draws artists from across the country and around the globe for a convergence of contemporary performance and visual art in Portland, Oregon. Now in its ninth year, the TBA Festival is presented September 8-18, 2011, with visual art exhibits running through October.

Atop Angel's Rest in the gorge.

Summer has arrived in Portland, and I’ve made my list of the top ten things to do while the sun is shining and the weather is warm.

1. Ride the Banks-Vernonia Trail — this is the first summer that all 21 miles are fully paved.

2. Take in a movie under the stars, either in one of Portland’s parks or at the “Top Down” film series atop the Hotel deLuxe.

3. Pick berries and peaches out in Washington County.

4. Hike Dog Mountain in the Columbia River Gorge.

5. Spend some time at the beach on Sauvie Island. (more…)

Summer is finally here! For the majority of Portlanders, that means one thing: getting a table at an outdoor patio or grabbing sidewalk seating at a favorite bar or restaurant. Summer is a glorious three- to four-month stretch when we enjoy our world-famous microbrews, spirits and food outside without the fear of getting rained on.

When downtown, I enjoy taking a seat with fellow beer enthusiasts on the sidewalks outside of Rogue Distillery & Public House and Deschutes Brewery or lounging on the patios of BridgePort Brewpub or Henry’s 12th Street Tavern. The outdoor scene isn’t limited to beer; great dining options abound at The Heathman Restaurant & Bar, Nel Centro or Jake’s Famous Crawfish. If you’re looking for a view to go along with your food or drink, but still want to feel the breeze blowing through your hair, try Departure’s 15th floor open air patio.

For a complete list of outdoor options, Portland Food and Drink has put together a wonderful list of Portland Area Outdoor Dining.

The Fruit Bats playing at Pickathon, photo by Tim LaBarge

Am I the only one who’s been listening to the Decemberists’ latest album nonstop since it came out in January? The Portland band’s most recent record, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, is filled with songs at the same time fresh and nostalgic, channeling musicians like Tom Petty and R.E.M. in the band’s distinctive style.

“The King is Dead” was recorded in the Workshop Barn at Pendarvis Farm, one of six venues at the annual Pickathon music festival, coming up Aug. 5-7, 2011. (more…)

Travel Portland is working with Oregon Arts Watch, a new, nonprofit journalism enterprise, to cover upcoming art exhibits, performances and events in the city.

During summer in Portland, the arts take on the attitude of the city as a whole: casual and celebratory. The full experience of the first-rate Chamber Music Northwest festival, for example, involves a pre-concert picnic, and the monthly gallery walks feel even more like street parties when it’s warm out. Amid these less formal and more adventurous offerings, the art experiences can still be profound.

Here are some of the visual arts highlights (see music and theater highlights):

Chris Antemann, Feast of Impropriety, 2010, 3-section centerpiece, dining table with 16 figures; porcelain with decals, luster and china paint

The Contemporary Northwest Art Awards
Portland Art Museum
June 11-Sept. 11

A replacement for the Oregon Biennial, the CNAA showcases the work of seven Northwest artists in greater depth than the museum’s previous survey show of state artists, and it awards one the $10,000 Arlene Schnitzer Prize. From figurative porcelain vignettes to large-scale sculpture, video installation and glass, works by Chris Antemann, John Buck, John Grade, Jerry Iverson, Susie Lee, Megan Murphy and Michelle Ross demonstrate the broad spectrum of work being done by the region’s artists. (more…)

Travel Portland is working with Oregon Arts Watch, a new, nonprofit journalism enterprise, to cover upcoming art exhibits, performances and events in the city.

Here are some of this summer’s music highlights (see visual arts and theater highlights):

Emerson String Quartet (photo credit: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco)

Chamber Music Northwest
Various venues
June 20-July 24

The summer center of Portland’s vital chamber music scene, the 30 concerts in the 41st annual edition of this festival include the world premiere of a new clarinet quintet commissioned from composer Marc Neikrug (July 1); classic unfinished works by Bach, Mozart, Schubert and others completed by leading contemporary composers and performed by the Brentano String Quartet (July 9); and perhaps the world’s most accomplished classical foursome, the Emerson Quartet (July 16). (more…)